Normally, I would leave beneficial insects alone. However, I'm extremely allergic to red wasps. How do I eliminate these wasps?
G.R., Colleyville
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I understand. I wish we could move them to my place; they eat lots of worms and other pests. When they must be killed, the essential-oil products work well and are nontoxic. Eco-SMART is one good brand.
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The other step I highly recommend is to paint eaves and porch and patio ceilings with the color called haint blue. It is a robin’s-egg blue that, according to Southern tradition, discourages wasps from building nests on its surface. Every paint manufacturer sells a version of this color. See my website’s newsletter archives and the library for more details on the subject.
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The pH in my garden is 7.0. I would like to lower it to 6.4 for my tomato plants. Is sulfur the best way to lower it?
P.S., Southlake
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It’s OK if you use a very small amount, 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet, or so. Using a couple of ounces of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water also will lower the pH.
On the other hand, a pH of 7 is fine for growing tomatoes. If you just add plenty of compost and rock minerals, the pH won’t be a problem.
What is the best liquid soap to use in the organic herbicide recipe?
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D.L., Decatur
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I use a product called BioWash. It’s available online, but almost any liquid dish detergent works.
One morning when I went out to check my garden, I found small snails on the lettuce and spinach. Are these snails destructive to the plants? If so, what should I do to control them?
R.G., Porter
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Dusting with food-grade diatomaceous earth, spraying essential oils and applying the commercial product Sluggo Plus all work. Start with the DE and work up.
After I make compost tea, how long can it be stored in a plastic container?
A.B., Frisco
It will retain its effectiveness quite a while, but the liquid will get clumpy because of microbe growth. This growth will be primarily bacteria, rather than fungi, and it will probably be anaerobic species because of being in a sealed container.
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Strain out the clumps, toss them into the compost pile, and use the rest for spraying and drenching. It will be effective but not as good as the fresh-made brew used immediately. Make a smaller batch, if possible.
Resources
Online: Find more information about haint blue outdoor ceiling paint and recipes for making your own Garrett Juice and other organic remedies at dirtdoctor.com.
Radio: 660AM The Answer, Sunday
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8-11 a.m. ksky.com. The call-in phone number is 1-866-444-3478.
Mail: P.O. Box 140650, Dallas, TX 75214